`Triangle' Mess To Straighten Out

Construction Congestion Finally Expected To Ease

NORTHWEST SUBURBS — For many frustrated motorists, the construction nightmare along the "Triangle" road-widening project in Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates is almost over.

Within two weeks, crews will begin paving the west side of Roselle Road, completely finishing the thoroughfare by Thanksgiving, officials said last week.

At the same time, construction crews are expected to pave the remainder of Golf Road by the end of October. Higgins Road, the third leg of the Triangle project, is expected to be finished in the fall of 1999.

Motorists, who have endured traffic jams and maneuvered around construction debris to get to restaurants and other destinations, are thrilled at the progress.

"It'll be really nice," said Ron Urick, of Streamwood, as he and his family got into their car outside a Schaumburg restaurant on Golf Road. "It's always clogged up and congested during the morning and afternoon rush hour."

Merchants are pleased too.

For at least four months, business owners have endured dwindling sales and aggravated customers. Many patrons grew upset about construction barriers and cement trucks obstructing parking lot entrances.

Many of those entrances are starting to open up again.

"I think things have improved a lot," said veterinarian Mark Kraklio, whose clients had to navigate a 4-block detour to find the entrance of the Golf Rose Animal Hospital, where he works on Roselle Road.

"We don't have the problems with people getting in and out,' Kraklio said.

But Golf and Roselle Roads are only two sides of the Triangle. There is still the hypotenuse.

On Sept. 8, barricades will go up along Higgins Road as crews begin the project's next phase, which involves installing a temporary lane on the north side of Higgins Road. The temporary lane will allow four lanes of traffic to remain open during most of the construction.

Work on Higgins Road will begin in earnest next year.

The $23 million project involves widening parts of Golf, Roselle and Higgins Roads to six lanes. In addition, extra turn lanes, sidewalks, street lighting and a bike path will be added along portions of the Triangle.

The state is paying $13.5 million toward construction costs. The county is contributing $8 million, Schaumburg is paying $1.1 million, and Hoffman Estates is providing $730,000.